Life, 1915-10-28 · page 51 of 52
Life — October 28, 1915 — page 51: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **cigarette advertisement**, not political satire. The page uses a historical framing device to market Richmond Straight Cut cigarettes. The illustration depicts a **colonial-era football scene** with men in period dress playing an early form of football. The advertisement's hook is nostalgic: it claims that while old customs have changed, Richmond Straight Cuts—"the first high-grade cigarettes made in the United States"—have remained popular since that era, implying continuous tradition and quality. The text emphasizes the product's "bright Virginia" tobacco and appeal to men. It lists gold medals from major expositions (Paris 1889, Chicago 1893, Panama-Pacific 1915) to establish prestige and superiority over competitors. The phrase "Preferred by Gentlemen Now as Then" connects the product to gentlemanly status across time periods. This is straightforward period advertising using historical imagery and achievement credentials—not commentary or satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
sisig il) 3d Oa) FIFTEEN CENTS Richmond Straight Cut CIGARETTES Most of the customs and costumes of those old boys scem quaintly old-fashioned now. But. one thing has come down to us from that time without change and growing in popularity every day—Richmond Straight Cuts. the first high-grade cigarettes made in the United States. “GOLD Even in those carly days, these “bright” Virginia cigarettes were already known and valued for their characteristic and appealing taste. _Today—as then—men acclaim Richmond Straight Cuts the best of all Virginia Cigarettes By the way, have you tried them lately ? Besides the regular package, these cigarettes are also packed in attractive tin boxes, convenient for den, office of trav- cling, 50 for 40 cents: 100 for 75 cents. These larger peckages will be sent prepaid on receipt of price if your dealer cannot supply you y RICHMOND Vincimia,USA. Ment Vindenn LIGGETTSMYERS TOBACCO CO. successen MEDALS World's Fair hicago 1893 Panama- Pacific International Exposition 1915 Paris Exposition 1889 GENTLEMEN NOW AS THEN comicbooks.com